MRITYUNJAYA ARC
The sprawling residence of the Chaurasia family was filled with the innocent laughter of a ten-year-old boy. To any onlooker, the family seemed to have it all—wealth, status, and happiness. Prateek and Kalpana doted on their only son, but today, the boy sat with a furrowed brow, lost in deep thought amidst his toys.
Kalpana noticed her son's sudden silence. She walked over, her saree rustling softly, and asked, "What are you doing, son?"
The boy looked up, his eyes filled with a curiosity far beyond his years. "Nothing, Mummy. I was just thinking... why does my name have the word 'Mrityu' in it? It means death, doesn't it?".
Kalpana smiled gently, stroking his hair. "No, my child. It doesn't mean death. It means victory over death."
"But Mummy, why did you give me such a name?" he persisted.
Before Kalpana could answer, a deep voice resonated from the doorway. "That is because you are special."
It was Prateek, his father.
"Special? How?" the boy asked.
"You are too young to understand that right now," Prateek said dismissively, checking his watch.
The boy crossed his arms, making a pouty face. "I'll just ask Mummy then. Mummy, tell me, please!"
Kalpana looked at her husband. "You should tell him, Prateek."
Sighing, Prateek sat down beside his son. "Alright. Listen carefully. This happened when you were just one year old."
The boy's eyes widened. "That small?"
"Yes," Prateek continued, his voice turning serious. "You were bitten by a scorpion. The poison spread fast. We rushed you to the hospital, but your condition was critical. You weren't reacting to anything.".
Prateek paused, the memory still painful. "The doctors made us wait for hours. Eventually, they came out and said... 'Sorry, we couldn't save him.' We had lost hope.".
"But then," Prateek's eyes gleamed, "a miracle happened. I heard a sound coming from outside—the chanting of the Mahamrityunjay Mantra. As the chants grew louder, you suddenly began to cry. Life returned to your body. That is why we named you Mrityunjay.".
Mrityunjay looked skeptical. "Papa, that doesn't happen. People don't come back to life after dying. Tell me the truth.".
"It is the truth, beta," Prateek insisted.
Kalpana stepped in, "Mrityunjay is one of the 108 names of Lord Shiva. I am a devotee of Shiva, and I believe He saved you. That is why you bear His name.".
"Oh, so that's the reason," Mrityunjay nodded, finally satisfied.
"Yes," Kalpana said, her tone serious. "So, promise me something. You must worship Lord Shiva every day. Offer Him water, just as I do. He will pull you out of situations where no human can help you. He will always protect you.".
"Okay, Mummy. I promise," Mrityunjay said solemnly.
Just then, Amit Kumar, Prateek's trusted assistant whom Mrityunjay affectionately called 'Uncle,' entered the room.
"Sir, the car is ready," Amit announced.
Mrityunjay jumped up. "Papa, where are you going?"
"Not just me," Prateek corrected. "We are all going. To our new home.".
Mrityunjay was confused. "Where? And why?"
"I have transferred my company there," Prateek said, his voice unusually sharp. "Now, stay quiet and don't ask questions. We are already late.".
Sensing her son's sadness at leaving his home, Kalpana whispered, "To gain something, we often have to lose something. We are going there for your better education and future.".
Mrityunjay reluctantly climbed into the backseat of the luxury car. His parents sat in the front, and Amit took the wheel. The car sped off onto the highway, leaving the city far behind.
The journey was long and silent. Two or three hours passed, the car moving relentlessly without a break.
"I need to pee," Mrityunjay suddenly announced, breaking the silence.
Prateek looked at Amit. "Amit, stop the car. Take him.".
The car pulled over on a desolate stretch of road. To one side was the asphalt; to the other, a steep, terrifyingly deep gorge. Amit escorted Mrityunjay out of the car to relieve himself, leaving Prateek and Kalpana inside.
The night air was cold, but what happened next froze Mrityunjay's blood.
As soon as he stepped away, a heavy truck roared out of the darkness. It didn't slow down. It swerved violently, heading straight for the stationary car.
BAM!
With a deafening crash, the truck rammed into the car. The impact was catastrophic. Mrityunjay watched in horror as the vehicle—carrying his mother and father—was shoved off the edge of the road.
"Mummy! Papa!"
He watched the car plummet into the deep gorge below.
Mrityunjay screamed, his world shattering in a single second. He tried to run toward the edge, desperate to save them, but strong arms grabbed him from behind. It was Amit.
"Let me go! I have to go to Mummy!" Mrityunjay cried, struggling against Amit's grip.
"Let's go, we have to leave!" Amit shouted, his voice trembling with shock.
"No! I won't go with you!"
"Mrityunjay, I know it hurts, but we have to leave. Trust me!" Amit pleaded, forcibly lifting the crying boy and dragging him away from the scene of the murder.
For Mrityunjay, the boy who was named for conquering death, death had just claimed his entire world.
To be continued...